Collaborate With Others Using TypeWithMe

Geek Tip: Collaborate in the Cloud Using TypeWith.Me

Over a year ago, a report surfaced that only one percent of users use Google Docs. I was quite surprised at the number, and when I asked, it turns out that most of you were using the service. (Hooray for early adopters!)

Now, a new site provides a service similar to Google Docs without having to sign in through Gmail. TypeWith.Me creates "public documents" with their own URLs to share with friends or co-workers. The text is synchronized in real time so everyone working on the document sees the exact same thing. Different authors — up to 15 on one document —are assigned different colors, so you can see who's contributing what. You can import text from HTML, Word, or RTF formats, then export it as a Word file, PDF, and more. Plus, you can also "go back in time," accessing earlier drafts.

There is a downside though. Find out what it is after the break.

One potential pitfall: while your document will live live on the web, there's no way to access it without the exact URL — so it's probably not the best spot for sensitive material. Otherwise, TypeWith.Me is a great tool for planning events, crafting a to-do list, or just keeping up with friends.